2024 Mustang GT Coupe Premium w/ GT Efficiency Package deal
Class: Sporty/Efficiency Automotive
Colour: Darkish Matter Grey
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 189
Actual-world gasoline economic system: 18.8 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B |
| Energy and Efficiency | A |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gas Financial system | B- |
| Worth | B- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | B- |
| Tall Man | B- |
| Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 480-horsepower 5.0-liter |
| Engine Sort | V8 |
| Transmission | 6-speed handbook |
| Drive Wheels | Rear-wheel drive |
Driving combine: 70% metropolis, 30% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 14/23/17 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas sort: Common fuel
Base value: $46,015 (not together with $1595 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check car: Gear Group 401A ($2900), GT Efficiency Package deal ($4995), Bronze Look Package deal ($995), ground mats ($200), Lively Valve Exhaust ($1225), Recaro-brand entrance seats ($1650), purple seat belts ($295), MagneRide suspension ($1750)
Worth as examined: $61,620
Fast Hits
The good: Spirited efficiency, rewarding to drive
The great: Upscale cabin, surprising on-road refinement, long-trip comfy
The not so good: Efficiency choices add significantly to the underside line
Tom Appel
There are realities we’d all relatively not face. Although there are some nonetheless in denial, Seinfeld actually was cancelled, the Double Cheeseburger actually was dropped from the McDonald’s Greenback Menu, and the gas-engine Ford Mustang can be discontinued—we simply don’t know when. There’s some query as to what occurs to the Mustang after 2028, and in case you wish to spend time worrying about issues, the Mustang is value fretting over.
New for 2021, the Mustang Mach-E gave mannequin loyalists a begin. Whereas the small electrical crossover has completely nothing to do with the model’s pony automobile, use of the identify means that the carmaker isn’t as protecting of the Mustang model—or legacy—as sporty-car followers may need hoped they’d be.
And whereas Ford has a vested curiosity in retaining the Mustang moniker in play, don’t guess on its dedication to gasoline-fueled V8 engines, handbook transmissions, or convertibles. If we have been betting on this, we’d wager that the Mustang goes all electrical—and all computerized transmission, and all coupe—after 2028. And whereas we’d additionally wager that no matter that automobile appears and appears like—and it’s more likely to be superior—it won’t properly characterize the reasonably priced, lightweight, typically playful character of the unique 1965 ‘Stang.
Forgotten Idea: Ford Mustang Milano
Given this uncertainty, it’s extra necessary that ever to understand what we’ve now. And, we’re delighted to notice that the freshened for 2024 Ford Mustang will not be solely the final surviving pony automobile, it’s among the many most reward to drive sporty vehicles obtainable as we speak, at any value.
The 2024 Mustang lineup is fairly easy, which we respect. There are a complete of 9 Mustang trim ranges, and two physique types, Fastback and convertible.
Forgotten Idea: Ford Mustang RSX
From least costly to most, there’s the EcoBoost (about $32,000 for the Fastback, $40,000 for the convertible), EcoBoost Premium (about $37,500 Fastback, $43,000 convertible), GT ($43,500 Fastback), GT Premium ($48,000 Fastback, $53,500 convertible), and, provided solely in Fastback trim, the line-capping Darkish Horse and Darkish Horse Premium ($60,000 and $64,000 respectively.
EcoBoost fashions are powered by a 315-horsepower, 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine which mates solely to a 10-speed computerized transmission. The GT and Darkish Horse include a 5.0-liter V8 engine which is hooked to both a 6-speed handbook or 10-speed computerized transmission. The “Coyote” V8 is rated at 480 horsepower within the GT, and 500 within the Darkish Horse. All Mustangs characteristic rear-wheel drive.
Shopper Information lately spent every week behind the wheel of a 2024 Mustang GT with handbook transmission in Darkish Matter Grey, that includes numerous vital choices together with the GT Efficiency Package deal, and MagneRide Damping System. Together with vacation spot cost, our check automobile got here to $61,620.
In case your final reminiscences of a Mustang inside have been shaped within the Nineties, you’re in for a shock. The Mustang cabin is now extra BMW than Daewoo (Nineties reference), composed of premium-grade supplies and fashionable dose of minimalist design. Certainly, utilizing the phrase “cockpit” feels just about on level.
The console touchscreen and the instrument cluster at the moment are models of a single contiguous panel, which appears clear and environment friendly. We discovered the infotainment system/touchscreen icons simple to determine at a look, and the system typically easy to navigate. We do want our local weather management entry to be comprised of precise bodily switchgear, however didn’t discover the Mustang’s setup particularly onerous. Additionally, the Bang & Olufsen audio system is superb.
Regardless of its slinky low silhouette, the Mustang is comparatively roomy and simple to enter and exit. Likewise, outward visibility is healthier than most people most likely anticipate. Rear seat room is extra expectedly restricted—and no place to stow an grownup of any type—however the seats are there, simply in case.
Mannequin-12 months Insanity! 15 Sporty Automotive Advertisements from 1984
As soon as inside, Ford’s final automobile could be very roomy, and comfy for the lengthy haul. That mentioned, the extra-cost ($1650) Recaro-brand sport seats must be fastidiously vetted previous to ordering your Mustang. The seats are too confining for bigger adults, and will show too agency for prolonged drive, no matter your stature.
As for efficiency, the Mustang GT is as rewarding to drive as ever. Shopper Information’s check automobile got here outfitted with the $4995 GT Efficiency Package deal, which severely upgrades the ‘Stang potential. Together with within the package deal are Brembo-brand efficiency brakes, distinctive suspension tuning, heady-duty entrance springs, bigger rear sway bar, entrance strut-tower brace, subframe brace, lowered experience peak, and a Torsen-brand limited-slip differential.
Not having a Mustang with out the Efficiency Package deal to match our check automobile to, we are able to solely say that our automobile was frankly superb to drive. In traditional, high-power, rear-drive custom, we discovered our check automobile to be quick, flingable, and surprisingly refined. The clutch was agency however not too heavy, and the shifter exact, and although a little bit high-effort, nonetheless simple sufficient to push by means of the gate with simply our fingers.
This editor finds the Mustang GT’s “enhanced” exhaust notice a unnecessary novelty, leaving me to surprise what this automobile may sound like with out the tweaking. The surprisingly flat blat produced by the Mustang is at odds with what muscle vehicles of the Seventies as soon as seemed like. It’s value noting that on this challenge, I appear to be alone. The sound of V8 Mustangs is ubiquitous on the streets round Chicago, and I relatively want the automobile’s soundtrack was rather less artificial.
Pony-Automotive Insanity! 10 Basic Mustang Advertisements
Excellent news on the economic system entrance: First, the GT’s beefy V8 performs simply high-quality on a gradual food regimen of regular-grade gasoline, and, our noticed gasoline economic system was surprisingly good. Regardless of succumbing to the Mustang’s lead-foot siren’s name, we noticed almost 18 mpg, a determine which might little doubt be improved upon with a little bit operator restraint.
It’s simple to argue that the Mustang has misplaced a few of its historic allure now {that a} GT convertible may be optioned as much as almost $70,000—that’s Chevrolet Corvette territory. Two ideas on Mustang costs, and worth: First, the Mustang GT performs on a degree that till solely lately was unique to vehicles just like the Corvette, and even pricier exotica. Secondly, the more-affordable EcoBoost Mustangs are extraordinarily succesful in their very own proper, and really rewarding to drive, although they arrive solely with the automated transmissions. In reality, the EcoBoost is so good, we actually don’t think about it an entry-level mannequin.
What’s to come back of the Mustang? Our crystal ball must be recharged, however we suspect that we’re not too removed from the ‘Stang going solely electrical. Count on breath-taking acceleration and—God assist us—pretend exhaust noises to assist us swallow the bitter tablet of America’s most-beloved sporty automobile going to battery energy.
The excellent news is that the Mustang is nearly as good because it’s each been, and if you need a handbook transmission, you’ll be able to nonetheless get one. Issues could appear peaceable now, be we’re fairly certain that is the calm earlier than the pony-car storm.
0-60 Problem: The Sporty Compacts of 1973
2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium Gallery
(Click on beneath for enlarged photos)
2025 Ford Mustang sixtieth Anniversary Package deal: Coming Quickly
